Articles: emergency-medical-services.
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Observational Study
Short-Term Outcomes and Patient Perceptions after Paramedic Non-Transport During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
EMS frequently encounter patients who decline transport, yet there are little data to inform the safety of patient and/or paramedic-initiated assess, treat, and refer (ATR) protocols. We determined patient decision-making and short-term outcomes after non-transport by EMS during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Paramedic disposition by ATR protocols resulted in a low rate of 9-1-1 recontact. Unexpected deaths were extremely rare. Patient satisfaction with the non-transport decision was high.
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Observation of the electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in resuscitated swine has revealed the interesting phenomenon of sudden ECG rhythm changes (SERC) that occur in the absence of pharmacological, surgical, or other medical interventions. ⋯ SERC occurred in nearly half of all cases with sustained ROSC and can occur multiple times per case. First SERC most often occurred within the first 4 minutes following ROSC. Heart rate, CAP, and CVP changed at the moment of SERC. We are proceeding to examine whether this phenomenon occurs in humans post-cardiac arrest and ROSC.